Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-01-28
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
OLYMPIA, FRIDAY EVENING, JAN. Is. 1851
1T Never Rains but it POurS.

1t seems peculiarly unfortunate that
the propositions for a location OF the
NJ. f. University and the Catholic
Hospital, at this place, should be
made at the same time and with the
condition of almost immediate accept
ance, or a choice of some other point
for these very beneficial and highly
humanitarian projects. The question
of location in either case involves the
raising of quite sum OF money, that
too at a time when the people OF
Olympia have just paid the regular
municipal tax, supplemented by a
special levy for harbor improvements,
and will soon, with the remainder OF
the county, be required to pay the
general tax, and in School District No.
l, including the city limits, another
special levy for school purposes. 1t
is not surprising that under this
heavy load, they should hesitate to as
sumo a greater burden, notwithstand-
ing they acknowledge the claims pre-
scented by both of the contemplated
enterprises and their eminent desira-
bility from business point of view.
1t is safe to affirm that had either
of these projects been presented at any
other time, or separately, that an i'm
mediate response would have been
made and the amount desired sub
scribed within few hours time. But
the hesitation of the people, under
present circumstances, is by no means
any discredit to their generosity or en-
terprise it is simply that foresight
which prompts all honest, conscien-
tious business men to consider their
ability to assume an obligation they
may not be able to fulfill.
Olympia and Thurston county have
not been niggardly in times past in
aiding enterprises which gave promise
of public benefit. The county built
fifteen miles of railroad to connect its
principal city with the great inland
artery of trade, while the city built a
wharf on Westside and thOroughfare
to it to find an inlet for maritime COM
merce. Many tens of thousands OF
dollars have been spent in street and
bridge Improvements, and in placing
the city on a footing commensurate
with her growing wants, and much
time, labor and money have been de-
voted to devising ways and means for
further lettering our condition. Still
there is a class of croakers who
have continually decried all effort and
have never hesitated to join in any
thing said to the prejudice of our COM
munity when compared with other
temporarily favored places. This dis
position has apparently become NOR
bid and deep-seated hallucination.
Its victims continually look upon the
dark side of objects. They see moth
ing but failure in every project sug-
gested, and prophesy all forms OF dis
aster in the near future. This is not
the spirit that should actuate pro-
gressive people, and its existence, even
in a limited degree, is productive of
harm. If people persist in turning
their faces backward, they should not
lose sight of the much good that united
exertion has already secured, nor
should they discourage by word or act
those who are engaged in paving the
way for renewed effort.
If we cannot aid both Of. the pro-
posed enterprises mentioned at the
beginning of this article, let us unite
on one and make the effor! effective